The political season is reaching its crescendo.The political candidates for the parties
are in place.The conventions
have ended.The campaigning has
begun.The debates are
scheduled.November 4th
will be here before we know it.A
new President and Vice-President will soon replace the existing
administration.Whatever the
outcome, history will be made in 2008.

At this time, the masses are forming their opinions and making their
decisions about the candidates.These decisions are based upon many factors:party, character, issues, race, and
gender.Each child of God over the
age of eighteen is part of the electorate.Therefore, each Christian is making up his/her mind about the
candidates:“Which candidate, if
any, will receive my vote on election day?”

The overriding concern for every Christian ought to be
righteousness.The wise Solomon
wrote:“Righteousness exalteth a
nation:but sin is a reproach to
any people” (Prov. 14:34).Righteousness can be defined as right doing.Specifically, it involves acting in
harmony with the commands of God, “…for all they commandments are righteousness”
(Ps. 119:172).Thus, the child of
God should take the Word of God in hand as he begins to make his decisions about
the political candidates and the issues involved in the election.The question that should be asked
is:“What does God say about
this?”

In times past, many have believed that only two issues really involve
Biblical principles:abortion and
homosexuality.Certainly both of
these subjects are addressed in God’s Word.Abortion involves the murder of an
unborn child (Exo. 20:13; Rom. 13:9).It is the shedding of innocent blood, something that God hates (Prov.
6:16-19).Likewise, homosexuality
is addressed in God’s Word.It is
referred to as a grievous sin in Genesis 18:20.Those who engage in homosexuality go
against nature (Rom. 1:26-27).In the Old
Testament, those who practiced homosexuality were sentenced to death (Lev.
20:13). In the new economy, the apostle Paul taught that those who engage in
homosexuality shall not inherit thekingdom of God (I Cor. 6:9-10).These two issues alone involve the
righteousness of the United States.Surely, it behooves a child of God to select a candidate who honors what
God’s Word teaches on these two issues.

During the course of this election year, this writer has given much
attention to the issues being discussed.Having thought about these matters, it is believed that there are more
than just the normal two issues that have Biblical implications.Welfare is one of these issues.Welfare involves the government’s care
for its citizens, especially the poor and struggling.The present welfare system of the
U.S. has evolved into a bureaucratic
mess with little accountability placed upon its recipients.Many believe they are “entitled” to the
benefits they receive.They do not
take any personal responsibility for their actions.They expect the government to take are
of them.Their votes are cast for
the candidate who promises to keep the support coming.The Bible’s teaching on this matter is
plain and simple.“For even when we
were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should
he eat” (II Thess. 3:10).God
expects individuals to labor and provide for themselves.He never intended for able bodies to be
supported by the industrious of society.Even when one is in need, God intended for the next of kin to be of
assistance to the needy.This is
made manifest in Paul’s discussion of widows indeed in I Timothy 5.“Honor widows that are widows
indeed.But if any widow have
children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite
their parents:for that is good and
acceptable before God” (I Tim. 5:3-4).When Christians are considering a political candidate, these Biblical
principles should weigh upon his mind.Is the candidate that I will vote for going to follow God’s mandates, or,
is he going to grow the welfare state because it will benefit him
politically?

The issue of taxes is another issue that has ramifications from a
Biblical perspective.There is no
argument that Christians are expected to pay taxes to the government.In Romans 13:1-5, Paul sets forth the
responsibility of the “higher powers.”They are to be a “terror” to evil works, and “a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil” (Rom. 13:3-4).In order for them to do their job
effectively, they must have funds.Therefore, Paul writes:“For
for this cause pay ye tribute also:for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very
thing.Render therefore to all
their dues:tribute to whom tribute
is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor”
(Rom. 13:6-7).The government, however is not to
extract more than is needed (Luke 3:12-13).When a government begins to overly tax
its citizens, it becomes a stewardship issue for the child of God.The more money one must give to the
government means less money one has for use in the kingdom of Christ.If the Christian has the ability to vote
for a candidate who will allow him to keep more of his hard earned money, it is
the responsible thing for him to vote for that
man.

Welfare and taxes are just two of several issues that we need to consider
from a Biblical perspective.A
failure to do this will bring God’s disapproval.As Christians, we must discern between
good and evil (Heb. 5:12).Having
made the distinction, we must “hold fast that which is good,” and “abstain from
all appearance of evil” (I Thess. 5:21-22).When a nation refuses to honor God and
His teachings, there are dire consequences to be suffered.The psalmist declared:“The wicked shall be turned into hell,
and all nations that forget God” (Ps.
9:17).